“Owe.”

“We’ve got to watch him become President because he’s very special,” Bette explained.

“Special?” Angelica queried.

“Special like you,” Bette continued.

“Special.”

Tina looked at her partner, and then back at the screen.

“What?” Bette reached over and grabbed the coffee cup, taking a sip.

“You’re going to think it’s stupid.”

“What?” Bette asked a second time, passing the cup back so it remained out of her daughter’s reach.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I wish Melvin were here to watch this.”

“You mean here in your house?” Alice’s question earned another dirty look from Bette.

And a look of confusion from Tasha. “Who’s Melvin?”

“My father,” Kit answered, her voice quiet. “And that’s a sweet sentiment, Tina.”

“Have you spoken with David?” Bette wondered.

“He got tickets. He’s out there somewhere. A ticket, anyway. If he had two, maybe I’d have gotten an invite.”

The room became quiet, save for the television commentary. The moment was broken when Helena burst into the room. “Did I miss it?”

“Auntie Helena!” Angelica kicked her feet with joy at seeing one of her favorite people.

Bette took quick action to save her shins, and shot Tina a dirty look.

“What?” Tina asked, trying maintain the pretense that she hadn’t noticed how her daughter had been fond of the Brit since birth.

Helena put her parcels down on the table and pulled up a chair from the dining set. “What’ve I missed?”

“Shhh. It’s special.” Seeing the adults around her grow immediately quiet, Angelica let loose more giggles.

“Let’s watch now, Boo,” Bette whispered.

As they watched, Tina took her partner’s hand, and was rewarded with a kiss on the cheek.

Barack Obama ended up saying the first two words — “I, Barack” — twice.

Unexpectedly, there was a pause. Chief Justice Roberts prompted, “That I will execute the office of President to the United States faithfully.” It sounded like the Chief Justice said “to” rather than “of,” but there were bigger problems. The word “faithfully” had been rearranged from how it appeared in the constitution.

Mr. Obama, a Constitutional scholar, seemed to notice. He paused after saying, “that I will execute.”

Chief Justice Roberts decided to try again, but he still missed the mark. “Faithfully the office of President of the United States.” The word “execute” was nowhere to be found in that version.